Rate-exhibiting device for integrating meters



Sept. 14, I943. J; R. HICKS ETAI 2,329,370

RATE-EXHIBITING DEVICE FOR INTEGRATING METERS Filed April 1, 1940 5Sheets-Sheet 1 v CDMSTAA/T SPEED M070)? 94 A 56 .92 Q L I C YCL E C YCLE A 61 f-j- L L 5% REL ms jl 2 fit (065010 d I m I It M 5 \Eg, 1NVENTOR5RIDE/P5 (/AMES A H/c/rs ANA BY 5 PERRYA. 80/90:

ATTORNEY M 1943- J. R. HICKS EIAL I 2,329,370

RATE-EXHIBITING DEVICE FOR OINTEGRATING METERS v L Filed pril 1, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet 2 RE VOL 0 7/ av Chum rEn 115 6040 7144 7 SPEED MOTORINVENTORS (/4 55 R. H/c/(s AA/O BY ER/QYA. Beams/v A. TTORNEY.

Sept. 14, 19.43.] I J. R. HICKS ETAL RATE-EXHIBITING DEVICE FORINTEGRATING METERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 1, 1940 ITNVENTORS (/4M55 A! ///c/(5 A410 ERR) A. Bonus/v Patented Sept. I4, 1943RATE-EXHIBITING DEVICE son INTEGRATING METERS James R.

Comm, Waterbury, cut

Application April 1,- 1940,

Hicks and Perry A. Borden, Waterbury, assignors to The Bristol Company,

Conn., a corporation of Connecti- Serial No. 327,258

6 Claims. (Cl. 177-351) This invention relates to a rate-exhibitingdevice for integrating meters, and more especially to a device wherebythere may be obtained an indication or graphic record of successiveangular velocities or rates of flow as measured by a revolution counteror a meter of the continuously advancing class, such as a flow meter ofthe displacement type, an electric watthour meter, or a rotatinganemometer, etc.

In the measurement of the total volume of a flowing fluid over apredetermined time, or in the measurement of the total amount of energyconsumed in an electrical circuit, the continuously advancing orintegrating meter is recognized as possessing a degree of precision andpermanence diificult to approach in instruments of the deflecting types;and the motor action of such meters usually renders available an amountof power sufllcient for furnishing satisfactory registrations of themeasured magnitudes. Furthermore, in some applications, such as whereviscous fluids are involved, the displacement meter provides the onlymeans by which flow can be satisfactorily determined. Where anintegration on a basis of elapsed time is the only form in which themeasurement is desired to be performed, there is required no exhibitingdevice other than a register in the form of a counting train driven fromthe moving element of the meter and having its dials calibrated insuitable units of flow.

In the measurement of angular velocities, however, and in many instanceswhere a meter of the displacement class is utilized, it is desired toobtain, in addition to, or instead of, an integration, an indication orrecord which will provide a measure representing the instantaneousvelocities, or rates of flow of the quantity passing through the meter.In other words, it becomes desirable to perform by mechanical means amathematical process equivalent to an approximate difierentiation of arate/time graph and obtain a scalar magnitude representing at eachincrement of time the average rate during that interval.

It is a recognized fact that a function not dissimilar to that desiredis performed by many types of so-called demand meters, especially in theelectrical industry, wherein a movable member is periodically engagedwith an integrating train and advanced thereby for a limited time, afterwhicha measure of the position oi said member is made and the memberreset to its zero of reference for a succeeding cycle. While, accordingto mathematical theory, and

under conditions which it is possible to obtain on carefully stagedtests, the practice of transmitting the increments of advance of anintegrating meter to an associated indicating or remote reading deviceon an intermittent; rather than a continuous, basis, or the practice ofsampling, or taking preselected time increments as representative of thewhole operating period, is subject to considerable error, practice hasshown that over periods of time, which do not require to be extendedbeyond three or four' cycles of operation, the probable error reduces toa negligible magnitude, leaving the method of measurement quiteacceptable for a large proportion of industrial practice.

It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby measurementsmay be periodically made of the mean velocity of a rotating part over adefinite interval of time, and these measurements translated into a formsuited to the actuation of a continuously indicating or recordinginstrument.

It is a further object to provide means wherebyan indicating orrecording instrument may be located at a considerable distance from thetranslating means, being associated therewith only through the medium ofa simple two-conductor electrical circuit.

A still further object is to provide means whereby the two functions ofaveraging the meter. speed over selected increments of time and oftranslating the average into an exhibited measurement may be performedmore or less simultaneously, so that the elements performmg eachfunction may be active during a relatively great proportion of elapsedtime.

To this end, it is proposed to provide a translating device combining ina single mechanism the basic principles of the so-called block-intervaltype of demand meter with those of the impulse system of telemetering ina manner to provide a substantially continuous indication or record ofthe mean rates of operation of a displacement or integrating type ofmeter over predetermined intervals, and thus to obtain a measure of thevelocity, flow, or other magnitude to which the meter is applied.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood whendescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view and front elevation of acomplete installation embodying the principles of the invention asapplied to a direct-connected meter unit.

Fig. 2 is aside elevation, to a larger scale, of

\time.

follows: Rotatably located upon the base-plate certain elements of 'themechanism shown in Fig. 1. I 3 Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are differentelevations and part vertical sections of a circuit-controlling de-- vicewhich may advantageously be used as a part of the mechanism.

. Fig. 7 is a part vertical section and side elevation of acircuit-controlling device similar to the device indicated in Figs. 3 to6, but having a diiferent"contact arrangement. Fig. 8 is a more or lessdiagrammatic view and front elevation of an instrument embodying theprinciples of the invention in. an alternative form.

Fig. 14 is a graphical representation of the timing of certain of thecyclical functions of apparatus embodying the principles of theinvention.

, Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the translating deviceincludes a base-plate 20 having mounted thereon the principal elementsof a mechanism for the purpose of producing in a scalar form, on asuitable indicating or record- A ing instrument 2|, measurementsrepresentative of rates of fluid flow as determined by a meter 22 of theintegrating or positive displacement The elements of said mechanismareas 20 is a flat plate 23 of circular contour except in so far ashereinafter set forth and adapted to becontinuously rotated in acounter-clockwise sense, about an'axis, as in being carried by a spindle24 rotated by means of'a constantspeed. electric motor 25. Oscillatablymounted on the base-plate 23 is an arm or pointer 26 adapted to swingthrough a limited angle about a spindleZ'I, said arm being substantiallyrigid in its normal plane of motion, and resilient in a senseperpendicular to said plane. The extremity of said arm is adapted toexcurse over said plate 23 with motion of the arm in a sensesubstantially radial to said plate, the limited .arc of excursion ofsaid extremity lying between the circumference of plate 23 and thespindle 24.

Mounted upon, and carried by, the plate 23,

and adapted to be rotated therewith, is a smooth, flat, scroll plate 28having a leading edge 23 and a trailing edge 30. The leading edge 29 isconformed to a circular arc of a radius equal to the length of said arm26, and the relative posi tioning of the respective spindles 24 and 21is so selected that at one position of said scroll plate in its-rotationsaid leading edge coincides with the arc of deflection of the extremityof said arm. The trailing edge 30 is conformed-to a spiral extendinguniformly from a maximum to a minimum radius on the scroll plate andsubtending-an angle a, somewhat less than the full angle of 360represented by one revolution of the scroll plate. For example, theangle a may be taken as 288 or four-fifths of a complete revolution, theremaining one-fifth revolution being represented as the angle b.

Transversely of the base-plate 23 and oscillatably mounted thereon as.by' journal members 3|, is extended a shaft 32 adapted to be rockedthrough a limited angle about its axis in a sense perpendicular to, andnot intersecting, the spindle 24. Fixed to the shaft 32 is arocker-plate 33, normally lying in front of, and substantially parallelto, the scroll plate 23, so that said scroll plate in itsrotation passesbetween said rockerplate and the circular plate 23.

Carried by the extremity of the arm or pointer 26 is a rider or stud 34which normally swings freely between the plate 23 and the rocker-plate33 with excursion of the arm 26. This stud has a sloping rearward faceadapted to be engaged by the leading edge 29 of the scroll plate 23 andthereby deflected in a sense perpendicular to its normal excursion toengage the rearward face of the rocker-plate 33 and in turn deflect itand thereby rotate the shaft 32 through a slight angle. A friction pad35 of cork or the like afiixed to the rearward face of the rockerplate33 provides a bearing surface for the stud 34, and resists any tendencyof the stud to 5 movement in its normal path of excursion during suchtime as it may be engaged with said pad.

Fixed to the shaft 32 and normally lying substantially parallel to theface of the plate 23 is an extended arm 36 carrying on its extremity a 0light vane 31 of ferromagnetic material. Mounted upon the base-plate 20,and juxtaposed to the vane 31, is a magnetically operated vacuum-typemercury switch 33 of the class, for example, set forth and describedin-U. S. Letters Patent #2,085,316 issued to K. Hunicker June 29, 1937.Adjacent said switch and spaced therefrom suiiiciently to. permit freemovement of the vane 31 in its normal excursion with rotation of theshaft 32, is a small permanent magnet 39.

Theoperation of the switch 33 will be more fully understood by referenceto Figs. 3, ,4, 5, and 6. The relative positions of elements of theswitching mechanism. are shown for an opencircuit condition in Figs. 3and 4; and for a closed-circuit condition in Figs. 5 and 6. The switchelement consists of an elongated enclos ing envelope 40 of glass orother insulating material, adapted to be mounted in a vertical positionand having in its lowest portion a globule of conducting liquid, such asmercury. Sealed in the wall of the envelope 40 are two electrodes, afixed electrode 4| permanently dipping into the globule of liquid, and amovable electrode 42 having a resilient portion 43 and a rigid contactportion 44 adapted to, be maintained by the action of said resilientportion in contact with said liquid, thus providing a completeelectrical circuit between said electrodes, said elements normallyoccupying the relative positions shown in Fig. 6. For operation of theswitch, there is fixed to the portion 44 of. the electrode 42 a smallferromagnetic armature 45. The permanent magnet 39 is juxtaposed to theenvelope of the switch .as shown in Fig. 4, and the field thereof,acting on the armature 43, will attract the same toward the wall of theenvelope, withdrawing the contact element from the liquid andinterrupting the electrical circuit. *The vane 31 carried by the arm 36is in the position shown in Fig. 3, where the vane is withdrawn from themagnetic circuit, permitting the flux to reach and act upon the armature43, as hereinbefore described, interrupting the electrical circuit 75through the switch.

Figs. and 6 are views corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4 respectively andshow the several elements of the switch in the position assumed when thearm 36 is so moved that the vane 31 enters the air gap condition a largeportion of the flux will be shunted through the vane and diverted fromthe armature 45, causing the same to be released and the contact 44under the resilient action of the part 43 brought into engagement withthe liquid, completing the electrical circuit through the switch. InFig. '1 is shown a switch similar in all respects to the above, buthaving a contact arrangement whereby the circuit .is closed whensubjected to the attraction of a magnet, and opened when not soattracted. The mechanical action of these circuit-controlling devices issubstantially identical with that set forth in the copending applicationof F. B. Bristol, Serial No. 266,299, filed April 6, 1939, now issued asU. S. Patent #2,214,159, for improvements in Telemeterlng transmitters,and assigned to applicants assignee. A further feature, pointed out insaid application, is found in the fact that the magnetic pull of themagnet on the vane 31 tends to move the latter into the air gap, thusproviding the requisite resiliency of action and obviating the necessityfor a spring to constrain the motion of the arm 36 and the shaft 32 orfor a stop to prevent excessive motion of said elements away from theplane of the base plate 26.

Fixed at one end to the base-plate 26 is an extended arm 56 resilient ina sense perpendicular to, and substantially rigid in a sense parallelto. the face of said plate, and having its free extremity positioned inthe space between the rockerplate 33 and the rotating circular plate 23.The scroll plate 28 bears near its circumference an arcuate portion 5|having a beveled leading edge 52 and a trailing edge 53 located on aradius corresponding to the point in the circumference at which isattained the maximum radius of the spiral trailing edge 36 of the scrollplate. Carried by the extremity of the arm 56 i a rider 54 having asloping face adapted to be engaged by the advancing edge 52 anddeflected thereby through a small ar gle in a sense perpendicular to theplane of travel of the scroll plate. The rider 54, positioned behind therocker-plate 33, is so proportioned that upon its deflection it willengage the rear face of the same, deflecting it, rotating the shaft 32,and causing the arm 36 to move the vane 31.out of the air gap of themagnetic switch 38, whereby the latter, as hereinbefore set forth, willact in a sense to open its electrical contacts.

osoillatably mounted upon the base-plate 26,

in the field of the magnet 39. 'Tnder this as by journal members 55, isan extended arm 56 adapted to swing through a limited angle abou an axispreferably parallel to, or in line with, the axis of shaft 32 in a senseperpendicular to the plane of rotation of the plate 23. The plate 23 hasnear its periphery a projecting portion 51 having a sloping leading edge58 and a trailing edge 59. Fixed to the arm 56 is a projection 66carrying a rider 6| adapted to be engaged by the leading edge 58 and torest upon the face of the portion 51 and to be released by its trailingedge 59, whereby said arm may be deflected through its limited angle ofmovement by said engagement. A transverse portion 62 of the arm 56projectsinto the plane of deflection of the resilient arm 56 in.a mannerthat, should said arm 5.6 be deflected by engagement with the arcuateportion .5| of the scroll plate 28, said projection will be engaged bysaid arm 56, whereby arm 66 will be retained in its deflected positionthough not in engagement with the arcuate portion 51 of the late 23. Theangular positioning of the scroll plate 23 with respect to the circularplate 23 upon which it is mounted is made such that the leading edge 58of the arcuate portion 51 of the latter plate and the trailing edge 53of the arcuate portion 5| of the former plate subtend at the axis 24 theangle b hereinbefore referred to and bein one-fifth the total angle ofrevolution.

Juxtaposed to the extremity of the arm 56 is a magnetically operatedmercury switch 63 identical to the switch 38 hereinbeiore described, andsubject to actuation by the field of a permanent magnet 64 as modifiedby a ferromagnetic vane 65 carried by the arm 56, in a manner that whensaid arm is in its undeflected position the contacts of switch 63 areclosed, and opened when the arm is deflected by engagement with thearcuate portion 51 or by support of th arm 56 through the projection 62.

The field of the permanent magnet 64 acting upon the. vane 65 provides aforce tending to move the vane into the gap between said magnet and theswitch 63, thus eliminating the need for a spring or for a stop to limitthe deflection of the arm 56 when lifted by engagement of the rider 6| 6with the portion 51 of the plate 23.

Deflection of the arm 26 in response to operation of the meter 22 iseffected through the medium of a gear train including a shaft 16directly driven from the mechanism of the meter and rotating at avelocity proportional to the rate of flow through the same; Fixed uponthe shaft 16 is a gear member 1| and rotatably mounted on the base-plate26 is a gear member 12 meshing with the gear 1| and having .fixed to ita pinion 13. Rotatably mounted on the base-plate 26 is a gear member 14meshing with the pinion 13 and having fixed to it a pinion 15. Carriedby the spindle 21 and attached to the arm 26 is a gear member 16.Rotatably mounted on the base-plate 26 is a pinion .11, having attachedthereto a gear member 13. .Coaxially with the gear member 18 is mounteda bell-crank 19 having two arms, one of which carries a pinion 86meshing with the gear member 18 and adapted when 50 positioned bydeflection of the be1l crank to mesh also with the pinion 15, thuscompleting a positive mechanical train from the meter 22 to the pointer26. A tension spring 8| extended between an arm of the bell-crank 19 anda post on the base-plate 26 tends to maintain the pinions 86 and 15 inmesh, under which condition normal rotation of the meter 22 will causethe pointer 26 to excurse toward the circumference of the plate 23 ortoward the left side as seen in Fig. 1.

An electromagnet 82' mounted on the baseplate 26 is adapted whenenergized to attract a ferromagnetic armature 83 carried by an arm ofthe bell-crank 19 in a sense to oppose the influence of the spring 8|,separating the pinions 86 and 15 and interrupting the mechanical trainbetween the meter 22 and the arm 26. A tension spring 84 extendedbetween points of attachment on the arm 26 and the base-plate 26respectively, tends to urge said arm toward its right hand orzerofposition, said position being deflned by a stop member 85 mountedon the baseplate 26. This stop member is to be engaged by the arm 26 asit assumes a position wherein the stud 34 carried thereby approaches theportion of the scroll plate having minimum radius of operation as theprinciple of the class of telemetering systems upon which the presentinvention is based requires that each cycle of operation becharacterized by the initiation and the termination of an impulse, andthat at no time may an impulse be either continued or withheld for aninterval quite as long as that of a normal cycle, and the position of astop member 95 is made such that when the arm 26 is in engagementtherewith, the stud 34 will drop oil the spiral edge 39 prior to theengagement of the rider 54 by the edge 52. It is thus assured thatwhatever the position of the arm 26, an impulse will be interrupted atleast momentarily once in every cycle of operation. v

The instrument 2| is of the class fully set forth and described in 17.8.Letters Patent #2,040,918

issued to C. W. Bristol May 19, 1936, in which,

through the agency of suitable electromagnetically controlled clutchelements, a constantly driven mechanism is caused to position a pointerside of a source of electrical supply 92, and the latter, in series withthe magnetically-actuated switch 39 and a conductor 93, to the otherside of said source of supply. One terminal of the electromagnet 92 isconnected by means of a conductor 94 to one side of said power source,and the other terminal of said electromagnet, by means of a conductor 95which includes in series switch 63 and a conductor 96, is connected tothe other side of said source. The constantspeed motor 25 is alsoconnected to the source of electrical power. While the three electricalelements herein shown are indicated as being connected to a commonsource of supply. this connection is not essential to the operation ofthe device; and, should it seem expedient to do so, the circuits may beseparated and supplied from individual sources.

The operation of the instrument embodying the invention, as has thus farbeen disclosed,

may be explained as follows. It may first be assumed that the rotatingparts are in a position where the three elements-the followers 6| and 54and the stud 34-which engage the rotating parts are disengaged from thesame, i. e., within the angle 0. Under this condition, the contacts ofthe switches 39 and 63 will be closed. Upon energization of the sourceof supply 92, the motor 25 will be caused .to operate and rotate theshaft 24 and parts carried thereby at a constant speed in acounter-clockwise sense. Current will be free to pass through thecontacts of the switch 39 and the associated circuits to the receivinginstrument 2|. The contacts of switch 63 being closed, the electromagnet92 will vbe energized and the gear train inoperative. cycle of operationmay be assumed as beginning at the instant when the leading edge 59 ofthe arcuate portion 51 engages the rider 6|. carried by the part 69' ofthe arm 56. Consideration may first be given to the action andinteraction of the several elements which engage the rotating parts andthe rocker-plate 33, and the perform- The.

ance of the eleetrical'circuits and circuit-con trolling devices inresponse tothese actions.

As the edge 59 passes beneath the rider 6|," the arm 56 will bedeflected outward from the base-plate 20 and,'as hereinbefore set forth,the

switch 63 actuated to open its contacts, de-energizing the electromagnet92' and completing the .gear train through pinions and I5. As'therotating element continues its motion, and while the rider 6| is yetsupported by the arcuate portion 51- of the plate 23, the leading edge52 of the scroll plate 28 will engage the rider 54 on the arm 50,deflecting the same in a sense perpendi'cular to the plane of movementof the rotating parts, and actuatingthe rocker-plate 33 and attachedelements, to cause the switch 39 to open its contacts. This efiectsinterruption of the electrical circuit through the. receiving instrument2| and defines one end of an impulse to which the mechanismof saidinstrument is adapted to respond. Immediately after the en-' gagement ofthe rider 54 by the edge 5|, the stud 34 on the pointer 26 will beengaged by the leading edge 29 of the scroll plate and lifted onto itssmooth surface. At this part of the cycle the rider 6| is disengaged bythe trailing edge 59 of the portion 51 of the plate 23. Under theinfluence of the field of magnet 64 acting on the vane 65, the arm 56will tend to be moved into its position toward the plate 29; but theprojecting part 62 will be obstructed by ,the arm 50 in its deflectedposition and such motionfof the arm 56 prevented. Shortly afterengagement of the stud 34 by the leading edge'29, the rider 54 will bereleased by the trailing edge 53, allowing the arm 56 to-return to itsundeflected position and the contacts of the switch 6340 be closed,energizing the electromagnet 92, which will move the bell-crank I9 to aposition where-the gears 99 and 15 are separated and the mechanicaltrain between the meter 22 and the arm 26 interrupted. At the same time,the rocker-plate 33, being deprived of the support of the rider 54, willdrop through a small angle until the friction pad 35 on its rearwardface engages the stud 34, preventing return of the arm 26 to zero by thespring 94.

The stud 34 will now remain in engagement with the scroll plate 29,resting upon its smooth flat forward face, until disengaged by thespiral trailing edge 39 at which time the rocker-plate 33 will bereleased and the vane 31 carried by the arm 39 attracted into the airgap of the magnet 39, shunting its flux and causing the switch 36 toclose its contacts, thus defining another end of an impulse to which themechanism of receiving instrument 2| is adapted to respond. It

will thus be apparent that withcontinued operation of the rotating partsof the device, the magnet 92 will be alternately energized andde-energized for definite intervals, and that there will be transmittedto the instrument 2| a series of cyclical electrical impulses, eachimpulse having one end recurring invariably at a definite instant in thecycle, as determined by engagement between the edge 52 and the rider 54,and the other end determined by disengagement between the spiral edge 39and the stud 34.

It.will be obvious that, because ofthe spiral conformation of thetrailing edge 39 ofthe scroll plate 29, the relative durations of "onand 011" periods of the switch 39, and hence oi impulses transmitted tothe receiving instrument 2|, will be dependent upon the excursion of thepointer 29 from its zero position against the stop 95. It

may first be assumed that no flow is passing through the meter 22 sothat the shaft I willbe at rest and no rotation will be imparted to thegear train therefrom. At' each of the cyclical .energizations of theelectromagnet 82, the mechanical train will be interrupted by separationof the pinions 80 and I5, at which time the arm 26 will be free to moveto its zero position against the stop 85 under influence of the spring84; Since no rotation is being imparted to the gear train from themeter, completion of said train by de-energization of the magnet 82 willnot cause the arm to depart from its zero position; and, so long as themeter remains at rest, there will be imparted to the instrument 2|recurrent impulses of equal duration, representative of a zero rate offlow; and the pointer or pen of the instrument 2I will assume a-positioncorresponding to the relative durations of these impulses, and produceon the scale or chart of that instrument a zero indication.

, beneath the stud 34, releasing the same and, as

hereinbefore set forth, causing the switch 38 to be actuated, thusdefining the duration of'an impulse transmitted to the receivinginstrument 2I. Upon release of the stud 34 the pointer 26 will be freeto swing; and, mechanical connection to the It may now be'assumed thatnow through the meter 22 is permitted to take place, causing the metermechanism including the shaft 10 to rotate at a corresponding speed,driving the gear I2 and pinion I3 in a clockwise sense and the gear.

'14 and pinion I5 in a counter-clockwise direction, Due to theinterruption of the mechanical train by separation of the pinions 80 andI5 so long as the electromagnet 82 is energized, no motion will betransmitted to .the arm 25 so long as either of-the riders 6| and 54remains within the angle a, and the pointer 26 will remain in its form,there will be provided a continuous graph zero position. Immediatelyupon engagement of the rider SI by the edge 58, the electromagnet 82will become de-energized to release the armature 83, and allow thespring 8| to move the bell-crank I9 to a position where the pinions 80and I5 are meshed. This completes the mechanical train, whereupon thepinion v80 will be rotated in a clockwise sense, the gear I8 and pinionII in a counter-clockwise sense, and the gear I6 in a clockwise sense,whereby the pointer 26 is caused ward the outer diameter of the scrollplate at a rate proportional to the rateof the meter 22. While thepointer 26 is thus being moved to a position determined by its rate oftravel, the edge 52, as hereinbefore set forth, will engage the rider54, actuating the rocker-plate 33 and defining one end of an impulseapplied to the receiving instrument 2 I. i

The engagement of the stud 34 by the edge 29 and the release of therider Si by the edge 59, and r the consequent transfer of support of thearm 56 to the arm through the medium of projection 62, will be carriedout as hereinbefore set forth, the contacts of switch 63 remaining openand the electromagnet 82 de-energized. This allows the arm 25 to beadvanced at a rate proportional to that of the meter 22, until the.

rider 54 is released by the trailing edge 53 with consequent closing ofthe contacts of switch 63 I and energization of magnet 82. As the rider54 to excurse away from its zero position and tothe reading of .theinstrument 2| as determined sense and determines a definite zero ofexcurformed portion of arm I06 serves to maintain enmeter 22 beinginterrupted due to continued energization of the electromagnet 82, saidpointer, under the influence of the spring 84, will force the stud 34against the trailing edge 30 and will approach its position of zerodeflection as said stud follows said edge with rotation of the scrollplate 28, until the arm 26 engages the stop corresponding to-said zeroposition. This condition will be maintained for a short interval ashereinbefore set forth until the rider BI is again engaged by the edge58 anda new cycle of operation initiated.

Because of the-spiral form of the edge 30, the time of release of .thestud 34 will be dependent upon the deflected position of the arm-26 sothat once in each cycle of operation will be a measure of the averagespeed of the meter 2.2 during a selected and constant time incrementwithin that cycle; and if the instrument 2I isof a recordingrepresentative of the flow through the meter 22.

In Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, is shown an alternative form of translatingdevice embodying the essential principles of thelnvention, but differingin certain details from the form herei'nbemounted thereon/the principalelements of the invention, including a rotatable shaft or spindle I00having aflixed thereto a gear member IOI whereby said shaft may berotated through a limited angle, a gear train I02 identical with thatshown'in Fig. 1 and whereby said gear may be driven at a speedproportional to that of a meter or revolution counter M and, operativelyassociated with said gear train, an electromagnet I03 adapted whenenergized to interrupt the continuity of said train and render the sameinoperative.

Carried by the spindle I00 (Fig. 10) are three arms, a short arm I04free to rotate upon the spindle, a short arm I05-fixed to the spindleand rotatable therewith, and an arm or pointer I05 free to rotate uponthe spindle and having an extended part substantially rigid in itsnormal plane of rotation and slightly resilient in a directionperpendicular thereto. A fixed stop I01, adapted to be engaged by thearm I05, serves to limit rotation of the latter in a counterclockwisesion. A. projection I08 of the arm I04 extending perpendicular to itsplane of rotation is adapted to be engaged by the. arms I05 and I05,determining, whenso engaged, a definite position relationship among saidthree arms. A spring I08 extended between projection I08 and a suitablyformedportion of arm I05 serves normally to maintain engagement betweensaid last-named arm and said projection; and a spring IIO extendedbetween projection I08 and a' suitably gagem'ent between arm l05. andsaid projection. It will be seen that under normal conditions As thescroll plate continues to rotate,

fore set forth. As indicated, a base-plate has 6 said springs act toconsolidate said three arms into a resilient unit as shown in Fig. 10,rotatable with the spindle I 00, but yieldable to permit forccircularflat plate I I3 adapted to be continuously rotated indacounter-clockwise sense about an axis or spindle II4 by means of aconstant-speed motor II 5. 'The relative positioning of the spindles Iand I I4 is made such that the extremity of the pointer I06, indeflecting through a limited angle about the spindle I00, will excurseover the circular plate H3 in a sense substantially radial to saidplate; 'and, when the pointer and associated elements are maintained bythe spring III in their position of zero deflection, said extremity willoccupy a position relatively near the center of rotation of said plate.

Mounted upon and carried by the circular plate H3 and adapted to berotated therewith is a flat smooth scroll plate I I6 having an arcuateleading edge H1 and a spiral trailing edge H8,

conformed and disposed in a manner substantially identical with thecorresponding edges 29 and of the form of the 'invention shown in Fi 1.

Transversely of the base-plate 99 and pivot-' ally mounted thereon isextended a shaft II9 spiral trailing edge I I8. Carried by the extremityof the arm I 21 is a rider I32 having a sloping face adapted to beengaged by the advancing edge H1 and thereby deflected through a smallangle in a sense perpendicular to the plane of travel of the scrollplate. The rider I32, positioned behind the rocker-plate I20, is soproportioned that upon its deflection it will engage the rear face ofthe same, deflecting it, and thereby,

as hereinbefore set forth, causing the switch I26.

to open i s contacts. 7

Secured to and movable with the rocker-plate I20 is a bow I33 formed oflight spring wire,. said bow having end portions I34 projecting awayfrom the shaft II 9 and a bridge portion I curved to an arcsubstantially concentric about the axis of the spindle I00, and normallylying in a plane parallel to andslightly in front of the plane ofexcursion of the pointer I06. Fixed upon the pointer I06 is a hookportion I36 embracing the arcuate portion I35 of the bow I33, and sodis-' posed that, as the pointer moves to various positions in its rangeof excursion, the said arcuate portion at all times lies within the saidhook portion and is normally out of contact therewith.

Oscillatably mounted upon the base-plate 99 and adapted to swing througha limited angle adapted for rotation through a limited angle about itsaxis in a sense perpendicular to, but not intersecting, the spindle II4.Fixed to the shaft H6 is a flat rocker-plate I20 lying in front of, andnormally in substantial parallelism to, the plates H3 and H6, so thatthe scroll plate I I6 in its rotation passes between said rocker-plateand the circular plate II3. I

Carried by the extremity of the arm I06 is a stud I 2I normally swingingfreely between the plates II3'and I20 with excursion ofthe arm I06.

A friction pad I22 affixed to the rearward face of the plate I20provides a bearing facefor the stud I2I when, as hereinafter set forth,said stud is brought into engagement with said plate, and resists anytendency of the tud I2I or the pointer I06 to move in their normal pathof excursion during the time such engagement may exist. Fixed to theshaft H9 is an extended arm I23 carryingon its extremity a ferromagneticvane I24 adapted upon motion of said arm in response to deflection ofthe rocker-plate I20 and in conjunction with a small permanent magnetI26 to actuate a mercury switch I26 structurally and operativelyidentical with switch 38, fully deabout an axis preferably parallel to,or in line with, the axis of shaft II 9, is an extended arm- I31 bearingupon its free extremity a ferromagnetic vane I38 adapted in conjunctionwith a small permanent magnet'I39 to actuate a mercury switch I40 of theform and arrangement shown in Fig. 7. Carried by the arm I31 i 'atransverse portion I4I projecting into the path of the resilient arm I21and adapted to be lifted by the same when the latter is deflected byengagement of the rider I32 with the edge I30, the proportioning anddisposition of element being such that when said rider rests upon thearcuate Portion I20 the contacts of switch I40 will be closed, and whenthe arm I21 is in its undeflected position, said contacts will be open.

The electromagnet I03 is energized from a Fig. 1 is provided having animpulse-responsive scribed in connection with the form of the inventionshown in Fig. 1.

Fixed at one end of the base-plate 99 is an extended arm I21 resilientin a sense perpendicular to, and substantially rigid ina sense parallelto, the face of said plate, and having its free extremity positioned inthe space between the rocker-plate I20 and the rotating circular plateH3. The scroll plate II6 bears near its circumference an a'rcuateportion I26 having a beveled leading edge I30 projecting Ycircumferentially somewhat in advance of the leadingedge H1, and

having a. trailing edge I-3I located on a radius corresponding to thepoint in the circumference at which is attained the maximum radius ofthe system energized from the source I42 through a circuit I45,including the switch I 26 whereby said instrument is made responsive toimpulses controlled by said switch and adapted to provide a measurerepresentative of the successive durations of said impulses.

Following is the operation of thedevice in the form shown in Figs. 8 to12, inclusive: It may first be assumed that the rotating parts are in aposition where the stud I21 and the rider I32 are disengaged therefrom.Under this condition, the contacts of the switch I26 will be closed,while 'those of the switch I40v will be open. Current will pass throughswitch I26 to the receiving instrument I44; and electromagnet I03 willbe deenergized. Current from the source I42 will pass through thewindings of the motor II 5 causing it to operate and to rotate the shaftII4 and all parts carried thereby at a constant counterclockwise sense.The cycle of operation may In assumed as. be-

idia ginning at the instant whenthe ieadmg edge I I30 of the arcuateportion I2! engages the rider I32 carried by the arm I21. As the edge Ipasses beneath the rider, the arm I21 will be deflected outward from thebase-plate; and, as the rider engages the rear face of the rockerplateI20, the arm I23 will be deflected in a sense to open the contacts ofthe switch 126, thus determining one end of an impulse in the electricalcircuit to the receiving instrument I44. At the same'time, the arm I31,being deflected by the action of the arm I21 on the projecting part I4I,will act to close the contacts of switch I40, energizing theelectromagnet I03. The bow I33. being attached'to the rocker-plate I20,will be deflected away from the base-plate 99' and will engage the hookportion on the pointer I06, deflecting said pointer in the same sense,and perpendicularly to its normal plane of excursion. The deflecting'ofthe arm I06 will act to bring the stud I2l into engagement with thefriction pad I22 on the rearward face of the rocker-plate I20, clampingthe arm I06 against movement in its normal plane of excursion. Thus, torecapitulate, engagement of the rider I32 by the edge I30 effects athreefold result; first, determination of .one end of an impulse in thetransmitting circuit; second, energization of the electromagnet I03;and, third, clamping of the pointer I06 against the rocker-plate I20.This operation is so timed in the cycle that immediately after thelifting of the stud I2I out of the path of the scroll plate I I6 theleading edge II1 of the latter passes beneath the stud and the circularplate As the scroll plate II6 continues its rotation,

the edge I3I of the arcuatesection I29 will pass beneath the rider I32,releasing the arm I21,

and with it the arm I31, which, under the influence of the magnet I39acting on the vane I38, will be deflected to a position to cause thecontacts of switch I to be opened and the electromagnet I03 to bede-energized. At the same time, the rocker-plate I20 will be released,and, under the influence of the magnet I25 acting on the vane I24, willtend to be deflected toward the plate II6. It will, however, be limitedin such deflection by engagement of the stud I2I with the smooth face ofthe scroll plate II6, so that the contacts of switch I26 will remainopen so long as the studrests upon the scroll plate. At the same timethe clamping action of the friction pad I22 will be continued,inhibitingany motion of the pointer I06 in its normal plane of excursion. Uponsubsequent release of the stud I2I by the trailing edge II8 of thescroll plate,

the rocker-plate will swing to its normal position, rendering thepointer I06 free to move in its normal plane of excursion,- and at thesame time causing the contacts of switch I26 to be closed, thusdetermining the length of an impulse in the electrical circuit to thereceiving instrument I44.

Consideration may now be given to performance of the device when themechanical train I02 is being driven by the device M at a speed to .beindicated or recorded or at a velocity proportional to a rate of flow ora similar magnitude measured by said device.

It has already been pointed out how at the time of engagement of therider I32 bythe leading edge I30, one end of an impulse in thetransmitting circuit I is determined and the pointer I06 clamped inwhatever part of its path of excursion it may at that instant occupy,the relative positions of the arms I06, I05, and I04 being as shown inFig. 10 of the drawings. Simultaneous energization of the electromagnetI03 will interrupt the mechanical train I02, whereupon the spring IIIwill act to move the lever system in a counter-clockwise sense. Thepointer I06, being clamped, cannot be moved by the forces available butthe arm influence of the spring III, the spring I09 will maintain armI05 in contact with part I08 of thearm I04, and the spring IIO willyield, allowing arms I04 and I05 to be moved as a unit toward the-stopI01, as shown in Fig. 11, while the pointer I06 remains in its clampedposition. Immediately upon release of the arms I21 and I31, the

contacts of switch I40 will be opened, de-energizing the magnet I03 andre-establishing the mechanical train I02, whereupon the gear member IN,the spindle I00 and the arm I05 will begin to excurse in a clockwisesense at a rate proportional to that of the metering device. The springI09 being so proportioned with respect to the spring I II as tooverco meany tendency of the latter to separate the arms I04 and I 05, the latterarm will'remain in engagement with the former, and the two arms willprogress toward,

the clamped position of the pointer I06.

Should release of the pointer .I06,- due to the trailing edge II8 of thescroll plate passing beneath the stud I2I, take place before said posi--tion is attained by the arms I04 and I05, the spring IIO will act tobring the pointer I06 into engagement with the projection I08, thuscompleting the unitary arrangement shown in Fig. 10. Thereupon, thethreev arms will be advanced as a unit until a cycle of operation iscompleted and the pointer I06 again clamped, with simultaneous release.of the arms I04 and I05 and their substantially instantaneous settingto zero.

Should the advance of the arms I04 and I05 bring the part I08 intoengagement with the pointer I06 before it is released by the scrollplate, as might occur when the speed of the train I02 during one cycleis materially in excess of its speed during the: preceding cycle, thearm I04 will 'cease to advance with the arm I05, but the latter arm willcontinue to advance, the spring I09 yielding to permit of this actionwithout abnormal straining'of any part of the mechanism. Upon release ofthe pointer I06 from clamping engagement, the spring I09 will act torestore said pointer and arm I04 to engagement with arm I05, the threeelements then, as before, i being advanced as a unit until a cycle ofoperation is completed. Thus, it will be seen that during each cycle ofoperation the pointer I06 is positioned to represent the advance of themetering device during a predetermined portion of that cycle, and, sincethe timeinterval'is constant, the excursion of the pointer l06'willrepresent the average speed of the metering device during that interval.The position of the pointer in turn determines the duration of animpulse in the receiving instrument. Also, with a minimum time ofinterruption, the pointer I06 still performing its function indetermining the length of an impulse, the positioning mechanism isrestored to zero and measurement of the mean meter velocity for thesucceeding cycle initiated.

In Fig. 13 is shown a method by which a translating device embodying theprinciples of the invention may be remotely operated through an electriccircuit from contacts actuated by a continuously running meter at aremote location. I I

As indicated, a ratchet wheel I50 forms a part I04 will respond to thespeed of the meter during that interval.

in Fig. 1. A pawl II carried upon an arm I52, reciprocable about theaxis of the ratchet wheel I50, serves to advance said ratchet wheel witheach oscillation of the arm. A pawl I53, acting about a fixed center,serves to maintain said ratchet wheel in its advanced position andprevents rctrogression with return movement of the arm I52. Anelectromagnet I54, adapted to act.

upon a ferromagnetic armature I55 carried by the arm I52, serves by itsenergization and de-energization to impart reciprocatory movements tosaid arm. A meter I56, which may be a fluid fiow meter of thedisplacement type, a watthour meter, an anemometer, or any other form ofintegrating or counting meter, carries upon a'shaft '45! a cam I58.Electrical contacts I59 adapted to be actuated by said cam I50 andincluded in a circuit I60 with a SOlll'Ce of electrical energy I6I andthe electromagnet I54 serve to render said magnet responsive to therotation. of the shaft I51 to advance the ratchet wheel I50 at a caltrain for periodically providing operative connection between saidelement. andsaid part forlatest of said intervals, means for retainingsaid pointer in said deflected position after each of rate proportionalto the speed of the'meter I56,

and therefore to the rate of fiow of the medium which said meter isadapted to measure. The mechanism operatively associated with theratchet wheel I being in all respects identical with either of the twoalternative forms hereinbefore set forth, the combination provides meansfor efi'ecting an indication or record of the magnitude measured by saidmeter at a location remote from the translating equipment.

In Fig. 14 is shown diagrammatically the per formance of the threeriders BI 54 and 34 respec tively over a time period approximating threecycles of operation. During each cycle the rider 8| is actuated for afixed interval (in this in stance aboutone-fifth the total period of thecycle). During this interval, the pointer 26 (in Fig. 1) is movedthrough a distance corresponding to the total advance of the meter, inthe interval: and at the termination of the interval.

the pointer comes to rest in a position representing this advance. Priorto release of the rider 6I the rider 54 is engaged by the leading edge52.

thus initiating an impulse in the circuit to the instrument 2|. As. therider 6| is released, the rider 34 is engaged, maintaining the impulseinitiated by engagement of the rider. 54. The rider 34 remains inengagement with the scroll-plate until released by the trailing edge ofthe same, thus terminating the impulse. 'The duration of engagement ofthe rider 6| and the duration of engagement of the rider 54 are eachfixed intervals defined by the construction and adjustment of theinstrument. The durations of successive impulses, as represented by d1,d2, and (is in Fig. 14, correspond to the respective intervals from theengagement of the rider 54; and these intervals will vary withtheposition assumed by .the pointer 26 during the interval of engagement ofthe rider SI, and therefore with the average The range of impulsedurations may vary from d to d"'in Fig. 14, the former representing theimpulse corresponding to zero velocity of the meter, and the lattertothe maximum speed for which the instrument isadapted.

we claim:

' 1. In a measuring device: the combination of 'a rotating part whoserate of rotation is to be said intervals, means operative during eachretention of said pointer to establish an impulse of duration dependentupon said deflected position with respect to said reference position,means for releasing said pointerfrom said deflected position andpermitting it to return to said reference position under the influenceof said resiligat means, together with an instrument to said impulsesand having a movable member adapted to be positioned in responsetosuccessive impulses to provide a measure dependent upon theirdurations. I

2. In a measuring device: the combination of a rotating part whose rateofrotation is to be made the basis of a measurement, a'translatingdevice'having an element, a stop, and resilient means normally tendingto maintain said element "made the: basis of a measurement, atranslating in engagement with said step, a pointer operable by saidelement, and means including a mechani-- cal train for periodicallyproviding operative connection between said element and said part forsuccessive uniform time intervals whereby said element will be deflectedfrom said stop in opposition to the influence of said resilient meansand said pointer will be caused to excurse along a fixed path from areference position corresponding to engagement between said element andsaid step to a deflected position representative of the I mean rate ofrotation of said part during the latest of said intervals, means forretaining said pointer in said deflected position after each of saidintervals, means operative during each retention of said pointer toestablish an impulse of duration dependent upon said deflected positionwith respect to said reference position, means for releasing saidpointer from said deflected position and permitting it to return to saidreference position under the influence of said resilient means, andmeans for controlling the return of said pointer to its referenceposition, together with an instrument responsive to said impulses andhaving a movable member adapted to be positioned in response tosuccessive impulses taprovide a measure dependent upon their durations;

' successive uniform time intervals whereby said element will bedeflected from said stop in opposition to the influence of saidresilient means and said pointer will be caused to excurse along a fixedpath from a reference position corresponding to engagement between saidelement and said stop to a deflected position representative of the meanrate of rotation of said part during the latest of said intervals, meansfor retaining said pointer in said deflected position after each of saidinterand said pointer flected position with respect. to said reierenceposition, and means actuated by said pointer when passing over said edgeto terminate said impulse, together with an instrument responsive tosaid impulses and having a movable member adapted to be positioned inresponse to successive impulses to provide a measure dependent upontheir durations.

4. In a measuring device: the combination 0! a,

rotating part whose rate of rotation is to be made the basis of ameasurement, a translating device having an element, a stop, normallytending to maintain said element in engagement with said stop, a pointeroperable by said element, and means including a mechanical train forperiodically providing operative connection between said element andsaid part for successive uniform time intervals whereby said elementwill be deflected from said stop in opposition to the influence of saidresilient means will be caused-to excurse along a flxed path from areference position corresponding to engagement between said element andsaid stop to a deflected position representarate oi rotation of saidpart after each of said intervals, said train including yielding means,ient .means, adapted normally to retain said pointer in engagement withsaid element and to leased, means operative during the retention ofdepend speot to said reference position, together with an instrumentresponsive to said impulses and having a movable member adapted to bepositioned in to successive impulses to provide a measure dependent upontheir durations.

and resilient means and tending to.

means normally tending to maintain said element in engagement with saidstop, a pointer operable by said element, and means including amechanical train for periodically providingoperative connection betweensaid element and said part for successive uniform element will bedeflected from said stop in opposition to the influence of saidresilient means and said pointer will be caused to excurse along a flxedpath from a reference position corresponding to engagement between saidelement and said stop to a deflected position representative of the meanrate of rotation oi said part weak as compared with said resilthe magntude the other to yield said train to permit said element to assume a bthe average rate oi rotation during the latest of said intervals, meansfor retaining said pointer in said deflected position after each of saidintervals, said train including two yielding members, one

vided by said train is interrupted and while said pointer is retained inits deflected position, and to a force transmitted through position moreremote from said stop than that corresponding to the retained positionof the pointer, and both said members coasting to restore said pointerto the position or said element when said pointer is released, meansoperative during the retention of said pointer to establish impulses oidurations dependent upon said deflected position with respect position,together with an instrument responsive to said impulses and having amovable member adapted to-be positioned in response impulses to providea measure their durations.

6. In combination: of rotation is to ment, a demand a pointer and cursein each 0! a series oi successive'and uniform time intervals a distancecorresponding to of said part in said interval. means for interruptingoperative connection between said rotating part and said pointer aftereach oi! said uniform intervals, and means active immediatelysubsequently to each of said interruptions for retaining said pointer inits excurscd position tor a time dependent upon to successive a rotatingpart whose rate mechanism or the class havin said time, together withPER-RY A.

time intervals whereby said adapted normally retain said pointer inengagement with said to said reference I I dependent upon be made thebasis or a measureadapted to cause the same to ex- 0! said excursion andfor controlling an impulse of duration corresponding to an instrumentrespon-' sive to a succession or said impulses to provide a measuredependent upon their durations.- JAMES

